For Canadian citizen, you can travel to/in EC (European Community) with no need of visa.
For Chinese passport holder, you had better apply for a Schengen visa, which can be used to travel ALMOST all EU countries except UK, Ireland (not sure Norway and Switzerland). Check Schengen visa for details.
Because France is your (first) destination, you need to apply it from France embassy in Ottawa.
Remeber (for Chinese passport holder), don't try to apply a british visa if you are planning to visit otehr european countries such as France! GB is not covered by Shengen. They thought they are Great Britain - but I thought it is a G-B